scholarly journals Anti–BAFF-R antibody VAY-736 demonstrates promising preclinical activity in CLL and enhances effectiveness of ibrutinib

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily M. McWilliams ◽  
Christopher R. Lucas ◽  
Timothy Chen ◽  
Bonnie K. Harrington ◽  
Ronni Wasmuth ◽  
...  

Abstract The Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) ibrutinib has transformed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) therapy but requires continuous administration. These factors have spurred interest in combination treatments. Unlike with chemotherapy, CD20-directed antibody therapy has not improved the outcome of BTKi treatment. Whereas CD20 antigen density on CLL cells decreases during ibrutinib treatment, the B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and its receptor (BAFF-R) remain elevated. Furthermore, BAFF signaling via noncanonical NF-κB remains elevated with BTKi treatment. Blocking BAFF interaction with BAFF-R by using VAY-736, a humanized defucosylated engineered antibody directed against BAFF-R, antagonized BAFF-mediated apoptosis protection and signaling at the population and single-cell levels in CLL cells. Furthermore, VAY-736 showed superior antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity compared with CD20- and CD52-directed antibodies used in CLL. VAY-736 exhibited in vivo activity as a monotherapy and, when combined with ibrutinib, produced prolonged survival compared with either therapy alone. The in vivo activity of VAY-736 is dependent upon immunoreceptor tyrosine–based activation motif (ITAM)–mediated activation of effector cells as shown by using an ITAM-deficient mouse model. Collectively, our findings support targeting the BAFF signaling pathway with VAY-736 to more effectively treat CLL as a single agent and in combination with ibrutinib.

2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. R115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betty Y Chang ◽  
Min Huang ◽  
Michelle Francesco ◽  
Jun Chen ◽  
Jeremy Sokolove ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (14) ◽  
pp. 3734-3743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viralkumar Patel ◽  
Kumudha Balakrishnan ◽  
Elena Bibikova ◽  
Mary Ayres ◽  
Michael J. Keating ◽  
...  

Hematology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 329-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan W. Friedberg

Abstract Anti-CD20 therapy has had a truly dramatic impact on treatment and outcome of patients with follicular lymphoma. Unfortunately, the majority of responses to single-agent rituximab are incomplete, and all patients with follicular lymphoma will experience disease progression at some point following rituximab therapy. Rituximab has multiple mechanisms of inducing in vivo cytotoxicity, including antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity, direct apoptotic signaling, and possible vaccinal effects. The cellular microenvironment within follicular lymphoma has a profound impact on which mechanism is dominant, and confers resistance in many situations. Both tumor-associated and host-associated factors also contribute to rituximab resistance. There are multiple potential approaches to overcoming rituximab resistance, including rational biologic combination immunotherapy, engineered antibodies, and radioimmunoconjugates. Improved ability to overcome resistance will require further elucidation of critical signaling pathways involved in rituximab induced cytotoxicity and a comprehensive understanding of interactions between its multiple mechanisms of action.


2017 ◽  
Vol 103 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. S37-S40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Albi ◽  
Stefano Baldoni ◽  
Patrizia Aureli ◽  
Erica Dorillo ◽  
Beatrice Del Papa ◽  
...  

Purpose Richter syndrome (RS) is a rare event in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that is influenced by biological factors and prior CLL treatments. Ibrutinib is a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has shown remarkable efficacy in CLL; however, little is known about its relationship to RS. We report a case of ibrutinib efficacy against CLL in a patient with prolonged remission of RS. Methods The patient was diagnosed with CLL in 2003. Biological findings at onset included absent ZAP70 expression, mutated IGVH, and NOTCH1 mutation. He was treated with FCR with partial response. In 2013, he progressed to RS, not clonally related to the underlying CLL. The patient was treated with anthracycline- and platinum-based regimens, obtaining a complete remission. After 3 years, he presented a CLL progression with worsening lymphocytosis, anemia, thrombocytopenia, increased splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathies. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan excluded pathologic uptake. Thus, he was started on ibrutinib. Results At 12 months’ follow-up, we observed white blood cell normalization, increased hemoglobin and platelet levels, disappearance of lymphadenopathy, and spleen size reduction. Therapy was well-tolerated with no evidence of RS. Conclusion This case demonstrates sustained RS remission in a patient with CLL under ibrutinib therapy, thus improving our knowledge on the use of this new drug in CLL and beyond.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory W. Hosier ◽  
Naji J. Touma

Ibrutinib is a bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor approved for B cell malignancies. Although there are currently two clinical trials evaluating ibrutinib in combination with nivolumab (programmed cell death protein 1, PD-1, inhibitor) or everolimus (mammalian target of rapamycin, mTOR, inhibitor) for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), there are no reports of RCC (metastatic or non-metastatic) showing response to a BTK inhibitor in humans. Here we report a 22-month clinical response of biopsy-proven RCC to ibrutinib. This is unexpected, given that BTK is not wellimplicated in RCC pathophysiology. We explore a possible mechanism for the response of RCC to ibrutinib through inhibition of interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase (ITK) leading to enhanced antitumour immune responses.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 2964-2964
Author(s):  
Xia Tong ◽  
Sharon Lea Aukerman ◽  
Karen Lin ◽  
Natasha Aziz ◽  
Cheryl Goldbeck ◽  
...  

Abstract CD40 is expressed on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells, and CD40 activation leads to signaling critical for cell survival and proliferation. We have previously described a novel, fully human IgG1 anti-CD40 antagonistic monoclonal antibody, CHIR-12.12, generated in XenoMouse® mice (Abgenix, Inc.), and have demonstrated that it inhibits normal human B cell proliferation and survival and mediates potent antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against primary CLL and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cells. In this study, we examined the ability of CHIR-12.12 to modulate cytokine production by primary CLL cells and compared the ADCC activity of CHIR-12.12 with rituximab against primary CLL cells. Primary CLL cells stimulated with CD40L produced a variety of cytokines, including IL-10, TNF-α , IL-8, GM-CSF, IL-6, MCP-1, and MIP-1β. Addition of CHIR-12.12 to primary CLL cells inhibited CD40L-mediated production of these cytokines. Cytokine production by primary CLL cells cultured with CHIR-12.12 alone in the absence of CD40L did not exceed levels produced by CLL cells cultured in medium. These data suggest that CHIR-12.12 is a potent antagonist for CD40L-mediated cytokine production by primary CLL cells and shows no agonistic activity by itself. We next compared the relative ADCC activity of CHIR-12.12 and rituximab against ex vivo primary CLL cells from 8 patients. CHIR-12.12 exhibited greater ADCC than rituximab against CLL cells from all patients. The average percent of maximum lysis by CHIR-12.12 and rituximab were 49 ± 16% and 31 ± 14%, respectively. CHIR-12.12 was greater than 10-fold more potent than rituximab, as measured by ED50 values (14.1 pM versus 155.5 pM, respectively). Quantitative CD20 and CD40 density on CLL cells and the degree of antibody internalization were investigated as potential reasons for the difference in ADCC activity. The greater ADCC potency and efficacy of CHIR-12.12 was not dependent on a higher density of cell surface CD40 molecules, as there were 1.3 to 14-fold higher numbers of CD20 than CD40 molecules on the cell surface. Antibody internalization studies using primary CLL cells conducted by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy show that upon binding to CD40 at 37°C, CHIR-12.12 remains uniformly distributed on the cell surface, even after 3 hours. In contrast, after binding at 37°C, rituximab is redistributed into caps and internalized. These data suggest that the potent ADCC activity of CHIR-12.12 may be partly related to its ability to remain on the surface of target cells uniformly, allowing optimal interaction with effector cells. Taken together, these results suggest that CHIR-12.12 may be effective at mediating potent ADCC against CLL cells in vivo. CHIR-12.12 is currently in Phase I trials for B-cell malignancies.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 4539-4539
Author(s):  
Deborah A. Thomas ◽  
Hagop M. Kantarjian ◽  
Leonard Heffner ◽  
Wendy Stock ◽  
Guillermo Garcia-Manero ◽  
...  

Abstract Delivery of standard therapeutics in formulations which allow increased drug delivery with equivalent or less toxicity may improve outcome. Vincristine is an essential component of ALL therapy. Its cytotoxicity occurs in a time and dose-dependent manner, but the dose needs to be capped at 2 mg to prevent severe neurotoxicity. SV is a form of vincristine encapsulated in sphingomyelin liposomes or “sphingosomes” with an increased circulation half-life of 12 hours compared with 6–12 minutes for free vincristine. In vivo, SV has more anti-tumor activity than free vincristine in mice bearing P388 and L1210 leukemias. A previous study of single agent SV 2.0 mg/m2 given every 2 weeks (without dose capping) was conducted in 16 patients (pts) with relapsed or refractory ALL. Objective responses were observed in 14% (1 complete response [CR], 1 partial response [PR]); 36% had transient reduction in marrow leukemia infiltrate with very minimal toxicity (Thomas et al., Cancer106:1641, 2006). An increase in dose intensity was considered the strategy for future trials. A standard 3 + 3 phase I study of weekly escalating doses of SV (1.5 mg/m2, 1.825 mg/m2, 2 mg/m2, 2.25 mg/m2, 2.4 mg/m2) with pulse dexamethasone (D) 40 mg daily days 1–4 and 11–14 was initiated. Pts with active grade 2 or greater central or peripheral neuropathy (PN) were excluded. Pts were evaluated for dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) after 1 course (defined as 4 weekly doses of SV + D). To date, 36 pts with relapsed/refractory ALL were enrolled. Median age was 34 years (range, 21–62). Median number of prior salvage regimens was 2 (range, 1–3); all pts had prior vincristine. SV was discontinued early for progressive disease (n=5), death due to sepsis (n=3) or other toxicities (n=3). Thus, twenty-five pts (71%) completed 1 full course and were considered evaluable. DLTs were observed at the 2.4 mg/m2 dose level (grade 3 PN, seizure with intracranial hemorrhage, grade 4 hepatotoxicity). The tentative MTD is 2.25 mg/m2 (expansion of cohort ongoing). Expected toxicities included infections related to neutropenia, grade 1–3 constipation, grade 1–2 PN and transient grade 1–3 elevations in hepatic transaminases related to azole antifungal prophylaxis. Six pts (24%) achieved CR (2 at 1.5 mg/m2, 1 at 1.825 mg/m2, 2 at 2.25 mg/m2, 1 at 2.4 mg/m2), 1 a PR (at 2.25 mg/m2), and 3 (12%) hematological improvements (of platelets at 1.825 mg/m2 and 2 mg/m2 or clearance of marrow blasts at 2.25 mg/m2). Five responders proceeded to allogeneic stem cell transplant. In conclusion, SV with pulse dexamethasone demonstrated encouraging activity in relapsed or refractory ALL. Phase II and III studies of SV in ALL are planned.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 3133-3133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Montillo ◽  
Sara Miqueleiz ◽  
Alessandra Tedeschi ◽  
Francesca Ricci ◽  
Eleonora Vismara ◽  
...  

Abstract Fludarabine (F) in combination with cyclophosphamide (C) showed a relevant advantage over single-agent F in pts with relapsed CLL. Although minimal residual disease (MRD) remains detectable in many pts achieving CR, the combination of F and C seems to reduce MRD more efficiently. Still, pts in CR eventually relapse and require treatment, demonstrating the need for improved treatments able to further reduce or eliminate MRD and induce “better quality” and thus more durable responses. Alemtuzumab (CAM), anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody, acts synergistically with F in vitro and appears to have synergistic activity in vivo. Additionally, CAM is highly effective at clearing disease from bone marrow, the usual site of residual disease following purine analogue-based treatment. Therefore, we designed a phase II study to determine feasibility and efficacy, overall response rate (ORR)-duration of response-ability at clearing MRD, of a 4-weekly combination regimen consisting of F, C, and CAM (FCC). The study population is represented by pts with B-CLL with relapsed or refractory disease after at least one line of treatment. Subcutaneous route of administration of CAM has been adopted in this trial. MRD was measured by 4-color flow cytometry in the bone marrow. The FCC regimen consisted of F 40 mg/m2/d os (d 1–3), C 250 mg/m2/d os (d 1–3) and CAM 10 mg sc (d 1–3). This combination was repeated on d 29 for up to 6 cycles. The dose of CAM was increased after the first cohort of 10 treated pts from 10 mg to 20 mg sc. Currently, 25 pts have been enrolled in this trial. Median age was 57 years (range 42–79), 15/25 (60%) were male, 23/25 (92%) were in Binet stage B or C, median number of prior treatment regimens was 2 (range 1–4). In six (24%) pts 17p deletion was detected. IgVH unmutated was observed in 17 (68%) pts. At the moment of writing 19 pts are eligible for evaluation of toxicity and response. The ORR was 79%, with 7 (37%) pts achieving CR, 7 (37%) pts a PR, 1 (5%) pt a PRn. Three pts had SD, while 1 showed progression of the disease. MRD negativity was achieved in the bone marrow of 4/15 (27%) pts. Grade III-IV neutropenia episodes were observed in 43% of the administered courses while grade III-IV thrombocytopenia episodes were detected only in 8% of cycles. Four major infections were recorded: two sustained by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (1 cutis, 1 lung), one by Nocardia (lung) and one by E. coli (sepsis). The patient with pneumonia due to M. tuberculosis died because of respiratory failure. CMV reactivation occurred in 6 pts: no CMV disease was recorded. After a median follow up of 10 m (range 1–22) 73% of responding pts did not progressed. In conclusion, results from the interim analysis of this new, 4-weekly dosing FCC regimen suggest that combination therapy with F, C and CAM is feasible, safe, and effective in treating pts with relapsed and refractory CLL, even in those patients with inherent poor prognostic factors and who had received.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 535-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas O’Hare ◽  
Christopher A. Eide ◽  
Jeffrey W. Tyner ◽  
Amie S. Corbin ◽  
Matthew J. Wong ◽  
...  

Abstract Overview: Bcr-AblT315I is detected in the majority of CML patients who relapse after dasatinib- or nilotinib-based second-line Bcr-Abl kinase inhibitor therapy. SGX70393, an azapyridine-based Abl kinase inhibitor, is effective against Bcr-Abl and Bcr-AblT315I at low nanomolar concentrations in vitro and in cell lines. Here, we comprehensively profiled SGX70393 against native and mutant Bcr-Abl in vitro and in vivo. We also used a cell-based mutagenesis screen to evaluate the resistance profile of SGX70393 alone and in combination with imatinib, nilotinib, or dasatinib. Methods: We assessed colony formation in the presence of SGX70393 by murine bone marrow infected with retroviruses for expression of Bcr-Abl, Bcr-AblT315I, or a variety of other mutants. Toxicity was tested in clonogenic assays of normal bone marrow. SGX70393 effects on cellular tyrosine phosphorylation were measured by immunoblot and FACS in primary Bcr-AblT315I cells isolated from patients with CML or Ph+ B-ALL. In vivo activity was evaluated in a xenograft model using Ba/F3 cells expressing Bcr-AblT315I. Lastly, the resistance profile of SGX70393 was evaluated alone and in dual combinations with imatinib, nilotinib, or dasatinib in a cell-based mutagenesis assay. Results: Colony formation by murine bone marrow cells expressing Bcr-AblT315I (IC50: 180 nM) was reduced by SGX70393 in a dose dependent manner, while no toxicity was observed in colony forming assays of normal human or murine mononuclear cells at concentrations up to 2 μM. Ex vivo exposure of human Bcr-AblT315I mononuclear cells to SGX70393 decreased CrkL phosphorylation, while imatinib, nilotinib, or dasatinib had no effect. SGX70393 inhibited Bcr-AblT315I-driven tumor growth in mice and this was correlated with reduced levels of pCrkL in tumor tissue, while imatinib was ineffective. A cell-based mutagenesis screen revealed a profile of resistant clones confined to four p-loop residues and position 317. SGX70393 in combination with imatinib contracted the spectrum of resistant mutations relative to either single agent, though outgrowth could not be completely suppressed. Combining SGX70393 with low concentrations of nilotinib or dasatinib narrowed the resistance profile still further (residues 248 and 255 for nilotinib; 317 for dasatinib) and, with clinically achievable doses of either second drug, completely abrogated emergence of resistant subclones. Conclusions: SGX70393, a potent inhibitor of Bcr-AblT315I, exhibits a resistance profile centered around the p-loop and residue 317 of Bcr-Abl. Remarkably, in combination with nilotinib or dasatinib, outgrowth of resistant clones is completely suppressed. Single-agent therapy with an effective T315I inhibitor may provide a viable option for patients who relapse with Bcr-AblT315I. However, as a broader spectrum of mutations accounts for imatinib resistance, patients with acquired dasatinib or nilotinib resistance may continue to harbor residual mutant clones other than T315I. Thus, the full clinical potential of SGX70393 may be realized in combinations with a second Abl kinase inhibitor. Our findings provide the first demonstration that Abl kinase inhibitor combinations that include a T315I-targeted component such as SGX70393 have the potential to pre-empt Bcr-Abl-dependent resistance.


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